Mulvey believes winning feeling can give cup push

Celtic away match rearranged

A coffee and a chat with Trevor Carson

Headlines from the manager’s press conference

Manager Stephen Robinson spoke to the broadcast media ahead of the weekend match with Livingston.

Here’s the headlines from what he had to say.

On the mood in the camp

We’ve played seven games and of course it has not been the start we wanted. There are fine lines in football and obviously goals change football matches.

For example, we’re 1-0 up last Saturday at Killie and miss a penalty and when things aren’t going for you, that’s what happens.

Over and above that, we’ve had four or five decisions in the last lot of games that have affected the results. That said, there are a lot of things we can do better.

There’s a positivity around the place because we know we are not far away. We’ve had to change, what with injuries we’ve had to play players out of position and perhaps taken that solidity out our team. We’ve spoke this week about getting that back, the team and the personnel that won a lot of games last season and took us to two cup finals.

Of course it’s frustrating, because I know how close we are, and of course everything is dictated by results. Emotions around the club, the mood of the fans are all dictated by results, but I believe there are positives and we need to ensure we use that to turn in results sooner rather than later.

On the everyone taking collective responsibility for form

We pulled everyone together at the start of the week to make sure we didn’t have a situation where people are walking about feeling sorry for themselves. We also have to give the players a plan on how we turn those little percentages in our favour and into wins.

The biggest thing for me is to get back to keeping clean sheets. Circumstances with the personnel may have impacted that but I feel we are getting closer to putting a team that I think is more recognisable from last season and straight away, that gives everyone a lift.

We’ve also got a bunch of boys who are very conscientious. They know when they’ve played well but they also know when they can do better. What I can never question is their work rate or their commitment to this football club and with that mindset our luck will change.

We need to keep working hard and that was reiterated to everyone, including the staff.

On the level of training despite difficult run of form

We’ve got strong characters. People were constantly saying last season that we had a good dressing room.

It’s this season where that will be tested as it’s easy when you’re winning football matches and getting to cup finals. Now you see who the characters are, you see who the strong boys are and I think the vast majority of them in that dressing room are.

We expect criticism but and can deal with it, we batten down the hatches and make sure you stick together and that’s very much been the talk around the place.

From the 11 on the pitch, the subs and the boys not involved, there’s never a complaint from them, the train hard and we prepare meticulously for every match.

On the temptation to ‘change it up’ versus the need for perseverance

If I am honest, due to injuries and available personnel, we probably did try and change it up. Because we didn’t have that electric pace of either Kipré or Dunne, we perhaps had to take that extra pass which maybe slowed our tempo down a little bit, which for the vast majority of our players, it doesn’t suit.

I feel the Hearts game and 35 or 40 minutes of the Kilmarnock match that we got back to that level of intensity, back to being in people’s faces and back to putting balls into an area of the pitch that can hurt people. I know what works for the vast majority of our squad, but we have had to try and change things slightly.

As I said earlier, I think we’re close to getting the personnel back into the right positions that will hopefully start affecting results.

On whether Livingston have surprised everyone with their early-season form

I think many may have been surprised, but they’re not embarrassed about their style and why should they be? They’re getting results. I hear everyone say that you’ve got to play a certain way.

You play to the strengths of your squad and the level your budget allows you to do. Livingston have done that and credit to them.

After we beat them in the Betfred Cup, our boys came off and said it was one of the hardest games they had played in, because they have a never-say-die attitude which they’ve carried on from last season. We have to match that and we will match that and it’s very much a game I am looking forward to.

On taking confidence from that cup win earlier in the season

We obviously played them and won, but I am not sure how relevant that will be. It’s a cup competition, a one-off game whereas they’ll probably go into this game as favourites given where they sit in the table and their start.

It’ll be tough, but first and foremost, we have to match their desire and their energy, then we can get the ball down in play, in that order.

Perhaps we’ve tried to do that slightly different because of the injuries and who we’ve had available to us. Now people are returning, now we can get players back into their strong position, I want us to get back to that.

On team news

We’re hopeful both Andy Rose and Peter Hartley will be available for selection. Charles Dunne has started light jogging in training, that’s a huge boost for everyone around the place.

Craig Tanner had a setback, but he’s on the road to recovery, so we’re getting people back and hopefully we can start turning the corner.

First team

Ryan Bowman is your Tullibardine player of the month

Friday 05 October 2018

Ryan Bowman has been named as the Tullibardine player of the month for September.

The striker won the public vote after returning to the team after injury, marking his starting return with a sensational goal against Hearts in the quarter-final of the Betfred Cup.

He received his award on Friday from Well Society members John and James McLellan.

First team

Previewing Motherwell v Livingston

Friday 05 October 2018

Livingston are the visitors to Fir Park on Saturday, as Motherwell play host to the Lions for the first time since 2006.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.

Head to head

Motherwell have faced Livingston 20 times on competitive business since their first encounter in 2001.

Since the first meeting between the two sides ended goalless at Fir Park, 58 goals have been shared between the two, with the Steelmen edging things 33 to 27.

Ticket information

Adult tickets start at just £20, concessions £16 and kids aged under 15 get into all stands for £3.

Livingston supporters will be situated in the Phil O’Donnell main stand and can pay at the gate.

If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, the game is available via our streaming subscribers at tv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Pre-match

Our Cooper Bar is open from 11am in the Davie Cooper stand, offering food and drinks to supporters of both teams.

Team news

Peter Hartley and Andy Rose should be fit to feature. Craig Tanner and Charles Dunne remain on the sidelines.

First team

In Numbers: ‘Well host Livingston

Friday 05 October 2018

It’s back to Fir Park on league business on Saturday as Motherwell host Livingston.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Five

The number of games Livingston are currently unbeaten, having won four and drawn one of their last five fixtures.

Home wins over Hamilton, Hibernian and Rangers were accompanied by an away win at St Mirren and a goalless draw at Hearts.

Gary Holt’s side also posted four clean sheets in those games, conceding only once against Hibs.

12

Livingston exited Scottish football’s top flight in 2006, after a five-year stint in which they finished third in the SPL, reached the UEFA Cup and won the League Cup.

Since then they’ve endured administrations, relegations and the odd success along the way. Their play-off win over Partick Thistle in May ended their exile, having had to work their way back up from the bottom tier.

14

The year 2004 was the last time Livi earned a win over the Steelmen with a 3-1 victory in West Lothian.

Since then, the two sides have met 10 times competitively. Motherwell have won nine, with one draw at Almondvale.

33

In the 20 matches played between the two teams, Motherwell have netted on 33 occasions.

Fourteen of those goals have come at Fir Park, while 19 came away. Livingston, meanwhile, have scored 27, with 16 coming at home and 11 away.

First team

Watch Motherwell v Livingston live online

Friday 05 October 2018

Motherwell’s Ladbrokes Premiership match with Livingston on Saturday, 6 October is available to stream live online.

Fans who live outside the UK and Ireland can subscribe to see the game at Fir Park, which kicks off at 3pm BST.

Monthly subscriptions cost £12 and get you access to see the majority of home and away league games.

If you’re going on holiday, you can also subscribe to watch the stream. Just wait until you are abroad, then sign up for a monthly subscription to see the games.

First team

Robinson speaks ahead of Livingston clash

Thursday 04 October 2018

Stephen Robinson speaks as Motherwell prepare to face Livingston in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And following a tough run of games, the manager is keen to shift momentum at Fir Park.

“We’re well aware that we need to turn things around,” he said. “I’m very confident that this group of players will.”

First team

Need to Know: A look at Livi

Thursday 04 October 2018

Motherwell host Livingston in the Ladbrokes Premiership for the first league meeting between the two sides since May 2006.

And after making a strong start to the campaign, Saturday’s opponents arrive at Fir Park brimming with confidence.

Unbeaten run

Since the Betfred Cup clash between ‘Well and Livi back in August, the newly promoted side have gone unbeaten.

In the five matches that followed their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stephen Robinson’s men, Livingston have defeated Hibernian, Rangers, St Mirren and Hamilton, as well as drawing with table toppers Hearts.

Collecting clean sheets

In their 12 games this term, Livingston have only conceded in four games, keeping an impressive eight clean sheets.

Equally impressive is the fact that their heaviest defeat this season came against last seasons champions Celtic, who won 3-1 in Parkhead.

Share of goals

Saturday’s opposition have scored seven goals in the top flight this term, the same total as Stephen Robinson’s side.

However, their top scorer this season is a share of seven players, with the likes of Steven Lawless, Jack Hamilton and Alan Lithgow all bagging important goals for Gary Holt’s side.

Women

Mulvey believes winning feeling can give cup push

Thursday 04 October 2018

Motherwell captain Suzanne Mulvey believes that the winning mentality within the squad can be a key factor in their SSE Scottish Women’s Cup semi-final against Spartans.

The women of steel take on the SWPL1 side at Forthbank next Sunday, with a place in the final of the showpiece fixture in Scottish women’s football up for grabs.

It would cap off a phenomenal season for Donald Jennow’s team, who have already stormed to the SWPL2 title with six games to spare and are on the brink of setting a record points total.

“There’s a winning mentality through the amount of experience that is in the squad,” Mulvey said. “We want to win not just every game, but every tackle, every header and every 50/50.”

“We know we’ll need to be at our best against Spartans, we’ll continue to work hard in every training session, take all the information we can on board from the coaches and make sure we are as prepared as we possibly can be for the game.

“It’s very exciting, we take one game at a time and all our focus is on the Spartans game. But if at the start of the season you had said we would have won the league with a number of games to spare and be in the Scottish Cup semi final we’d have jumped at that.

“This is the type of game I’ve loved playing in throughout my career, it’s going to be a battle and I can’t wait.”

The mixture of youth and experience has proven to be a winning formula for ‘Well so far this season.

In recent weeks Cara Lovatt and Natasha Roberts have been handed first team opportunities, while the likes of Kaitlyn Canavan, Lauryn Reside, Caitlin Russell and Kendall Welsh have all played a big part over the course of the season.

A cup semi-final will be unchartered territory for many of the youngsters, but Mulvey believes the older players will step up to help them adapt to the big occasion.

“Many of the squad have experienced this type of game before, so it won’t be a new or scary experience,” she added. “For the younger players, we’re building it up as an exciting experience, a great opportunity to get themselves noticed and show that there are a number of good players at Motherwell.

“It’s a very competitive environment, there are a number of younger players who have come in and made a big impression.

“To have different options in different positions is fantastic and I think it’s our mixture of youth and experience that has been key to our success this season.”

While the debate rumbles on over the scheduling of the Betfred League Cup semi finals, there are no such issues when it comes to the women’s game.

Both last four fixtures will take place at the home of Stirling Albion on the same day and for £5 you can see Glasgow City take on Hibernian before Motherwell face Spartans.

Mulvey is hopes a few new faces can get along to back the team on what is set to be their most important game of the season so far.

“We appreciate all the support we’ve had so far this season and to see a few new faces along at the semi final would be fantastic,” added the striker. “This isn’t the finale, this is just the beginning of the journey, even though we are moving towards the end of the season, it feels like there is plenty more to come

“The success we’ve had this season is a great reflection on all the hard work that everyone has put in, we have a great group of staff and players.”

First team

Celtic away match rearranged

Thursday 04 October 2018

Motherwell’s first trip of the 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season to Celtic will now take place on Wednesday, 19 December.

The original fixture between the two clubs, the first since the 2017/18 William Hill Scottish Cup final, was due to take place on Sunday, 28 October. It was postponed due to Celtic’s participation in the Betfred Cup semi-finals.

The visit to Celtic Park will kick off at 7.45pm. Ticket information will be announced shortly.

First team

A coffee and a chat with Trevor Carson

Wednesday 03 October 2018

Trevor Carson sat down for a coffee and a chat in our regular feature.

The goalkeeper spoke about the positivity around Fir Park, the highs and lows in football and the honour of representing his country.